In general, there are no “good” or “bad” countries because crime exists everywhere; however, a few basic measures will improve your safety and make your trip more enjoyable.
Learn the language:
If you plan to spend more time in a specific area, learning the language is highly recommended – not only will it enrich your travel experience, but it will also assist you when you encounter difficulties.
Be informed about your destination:
In large cities, you should be aware of which places are safe for visitors and which are unsafe. As a citizen of Europe or North America, you can easily recognize yourself in Africa, Asia, or South America – in urban areas, the rich and poor coexist, so you should study which areas are safe to stay in before booking your accommodations.
If you’re staying at a hotel, hostel, or apartment, speak with the front desk because they know the city better than you do and will give you advice about where to go.
Keep an eye on your belongings:
Keep an eye on all your belongings, particularly when in transfer mode (traveling from one location to another with all your luggage). If you’re traveling with a backpack, you can use a rain-cover to protect yourself from pickpocketing.
Pickpockets frequent large stations, airports, and other congested areas, so you should never leave your luggage unattended.
Know the phone number to block your cards:
If you are robbed or find that your card has been misused, contact your credit card company right away to get your card blocked. This phone number is usually printed on the back of your wallet, so make a separate note of it.
Be aware of scams:
There are several different forms of scams all over the world, so you should familiarize yourself with the most common scams in your destination so you can avoid being pick pocketed.
The mustard scam is a popular one: your shirt/jacket gets sprayed with mustard, and then some helpful guys appear and offer to clean it for you – when cleaning your shirt, they steal your valuables.
Travel light
The less you bring, the less likely you are to get lost. If you travel often through congested areas, having just a small bag/backpack to manage and your hands free is a huge benefit – it’s much easier to keep track of your belongings on trains and buses.
Sometimes other travellers are dangerous:
You should be well informed and follow all of the advice and suggestions, but your fellow travelers’ actions can also get you into trouble. When you plan to fly with someone, make sure you both stick to the same safety principles.
If you get yourself into trouble, speak to your friend and let them know what’s going on; if they start acting dumb, you can break up with them.
